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French onion meatballs - featured image

French Onion Meatballs

  • Author: Louise
  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Description

Juicy beef meatballs are baked in a rich, caramelized onion sauce and topped with melty cheese for a cozy, French bistro-inspired dinner. This easy, one-skillet meal brings together the flavors of French onion soup and hearty meatballs for a family-friendly comfort food classic.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb ground beef (80/20 preferred)
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (panko or regular)
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/4 cup milk (whole or 2%)
  • 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (or 1 tsp dried)
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter (or olive oil)
  • 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced (about 4 cups)
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 1/2 cups beef broth (low-sodium preferred)
  • 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves (or 1/2 tsp dried thyme)
  • 2 tsp cornstarch
  • 2 tbsp water
  • 1 cup shredded Gruyère or Swiss cheese (or mozzarella)
  • Extra chopped parsley or thyme, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Thinly slice onions about 1/4-inch thick.
  2. In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, milk, Parmesan, Dijon mustard, parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until just combined. Roll into 16 golf-ball-sized meatballs.
  3. Heat an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat and add a drizzle of oil. Brown meatballs in batches for 2-3 minutes per side. Transfer browned meatballs to a plate.
  4. Lower heat to medium. Add butter, sliced onions, sugar, salt, and pepper to the skillet. Cook, stirring often, until onions are deeply golden and soft, about 15-20 minutes. Add a splash of water if onions start to stick.
  5. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add Worcestershire sauce, beef broth, and thyme. Bring to a gentle simmer, scraping up browned bits from the pan.
  6. Whisk cornstarch with water in a small bowl, then stir into the sauce. Simmer for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened.
  7. Nestle browned meatballs into the onion sauce. Top evenly with shredded cheese.
  8. Transfer skillet to oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, until meatballs are cooked through (160°F internal temp) and cheese is bubbly.
  9. Remove from oven, garnish with extra parsley or thyme, and serve hot with extra onion sauce spooned over each portion.

Notes

For gluten-free, use gluten-free breadcrumbs and check Worcestershire and broth labels. For a lighter version, substitute ground turkey or chicken. Caramelize onions slowly for best flavor. If you don’t have an oven-safe skillet, transfer to a baking dish before baking. Leftovers keep well and flavors deepen after a day.

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Cuisine: French-American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: About 4 meatballs with sauce and cheese
  • Calories: 380
  • Sugar: 6
  • Sodium: 700
  • Fat: 24
  • Saturated Fat: 10
  • Carbohydrates: 15
  • Fiber: 2
  • Protein: 24

Keywords: French onion meatballs, comfort food, beef meatballs, onion sauce, one skillet dinner, cheesy meatballs, French onion soup, easy dinner, family meal, oven baked meatballs

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Find it online: https://allyumplates.com/french-onion-meatballs-recipe-easy-savory-dinner-with-onion-sauce/